How come we sometimes listen to scientific arguments, but sometimes disregard them entirely? Pew Research Center has done a survey comparing scientists’ and the general public’s attitudes towards subjects ranging from Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) over climate change to evolution. The overall conclusion is that science holds an esteemed place among citizens and professionals, but the study also reveals that the public is sometimes very selective with scientific evidence.

On subjects such as the space station and bioengineered fuels, the public opinion is pretty much in line with scientists’ opinions. But the single largest opinion difference between the public and scientists is the safety of GMOs. Where 88 per cent of scientists agree that it is safe to eat GMO foods only 37 per cent of the public agrees. There is also a 40 percentage point gap on the safety of pesticides, where the public worries much more than scientists find reasonable. It seems that the public sometimes has a selective hearing or get distorted messages from interest groups and media. On climate change, there is also a gap, albeit smaller than on GMOs and pesticides, 87 per cent of scientists agree that climate change is happening and is manmade whereas only half of American adults agree.

This selective hearing or perhaps a distorted message being delivered to the public is also very evident in the vaccine debate, highlighted by the measles outbreak in the U.S.

There is broad consensus between doctors and scientists that there is very minimal risk of complications arising from vaccines, and this very small risk is manifold outweighed by the benefits of the vaccine. Nonetheless, we see an anti-vaccine movement of parents choosing to not vaccinate their children. The Pew study shows that 86 per cent of scientists find that the childhood vaccine MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) should be required whereas just 68 per cent of the public agrees.

The vaccine fear mongering is mainly based on a manipulated and now debunked U.K. study linking the MMR vaccine to autism. The fraudulent study has been widely spread not least thanks to campaigning celebrities. Ironically, some of the celebrities campaigning against vaccines are also working hard to raise attention to the climate issue. How can you be a staunch supporter of scientific evidence, when it comes to climate change, but totally disregard scientific evidence and consensus, when it comes to vaccines? Clearly, we should listen to the science in all cases, not just the ones that fit our own ideological preferences.

The ongoing measles outbreak is caused by too many children not being vaccinated. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention report that before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, about 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States. Of those people, 400 to 500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 4,000 developed encephalitis (brain swelling) from measles.

The anti-vaccine movement, particularly successful in wealthier neighbourhoods, is trying to raise children “naturally”

The vaccine program eliminated measles in the United States, but now the disease is on the rise again. In 2014, more than 600 cases were reported and only one month in 2015 more than 100 cases have been reported. It might sound like small numbers, but the growing trend is worrying.

The anti-vaccine movement, particularly successful in wealthier neighbourhoods, is trying to raise children “naturally.” In the wealthy Orange County, The New York Times reported, some schools have 50 to 60 per cent of their kindergarteners not fully vaccinated. As a local doctor puts it: “It’s very frustrating. It’s hard to see a kid suffer for something that’s entirely preventable.” Recently, a German toddler died of the disease.

The anti-vaccine movement is a big problem, not only for the children not being vaccinated but also because it harms the so-called “herd immunity.” A smaller number of children are for medical reasons not vaccinated, some are too young and the vaccine doesn’t work in some rare cases, but they are all protected by herd immunity when a large enough proportion of the population is actually vaccinated. Opting out of the vaccine, not only hurts the child, but also endangers all others.

We should listen to scientists, not only when it suits our preferences. Climate change is real and happening, it is safe to eat GMOs and food grown with pesticides and of course, you should get your child vaccinated.

When my assistant said there was a call from the White House, I picked up, said 'Hello' and started to ask if this was a prank

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